Why choose Rome for your Italian language course?

Rome - the Eternal city - one of the most ancient of civilizations and the birthplace of many of the great people of our times. Hundreds of writers, poets and artists of every period of history have celebrated its beauty. But Rome is not only a city full of monuments, palaces and museums without equal in the world; it is also a modern city, full of life, offering pleasure and entertainment for all tastes.

City Highlights

Vatican City (Citta del Vaticano), the papal seat, was built over the tomb of Saint Peter. The Vatican's position as a sovereign state within a state was guaranteed by the Lateran Treaty of 1929, marked by the building of a new road, the Via della Conciliazione, which leads from huge St Peter's basilica to Castel Sant' Angelo, a monument to a far grimmer past. Inside the Vatican City you can find 11 Vatican Museums as well as the famous Sistine Chapel, Michelangelo and the Vatican Gardens.

The Roman Colosseum or Coliseum, originally known as the Flavian Amphitheatre, was commissioned in 72 AD by Emperor Vespasian. It was completed by his son, Titus, in 80 AD, with later improvements by Domitian. The Colosseum is located just east of the Roman Forum and was built to a practical design, with its 80 arched entrances allowing easy access to 55,000 spectators, who were seated according to rank. The Coliseum is huge, an ellipse 188m long and 156m wide. Originally, it required 240 masts to support the canvas to provide shade for the audience.

The Trevi fountain, inspired by Roman triumphal arches, is the largest and most famous baroque fountain in Rome. Appropriately for a fountain resembling a stage set, the theatrical Trevi Fountain has been the star of many films shot in Rome, including romantic films such as "Three Coins in a Fountain" and "Roman Holiday", but also "La dolce vita", Federico Fellini's satirical portrait of Rome in the 1950s. Tradition has it that a coin thrown into the water will guarantee the visitor's return to Rome.

Night life

Rome’s nightlife starts late. It is not unusual for the locals to meet up for dinner at 9.30pm or even 10.00pm. Rome is unique when it comes to nightlife and entertainment. There are lots of bars and pubs, clubs and discos spread all over the city but the best way to enjoy the culture, the vibe and the spirit of the city is outdoors. As the weather is mild for most of the year, every square tends to host spontaneous open air parties on a regular basis.

When the night is almost over and it’s time to go home, the locals usually like to indulge in one of their favorite activities: grabbing a “cornetto”(croissant) and a cappuccino on the way home. They stop at one of the coffee bars still open or in one of the ”cornetterie”(shops that produce these delicious sweet treats) spread all over town and feast over a warm cornetto to say farewell to the night.

Helpful tips for a night out in Rome:

• The area around Piazza Navona and Via della Pace is quite chic, with wine bars and cafes and its labyrinth of alleys
• Campo De Fiori is very heterogeneous and loud and that’s where the tourists mix with the locals, and students from the several American colleges based in Rome
• Trastevere is a little bohemian, with coffee shops, restaurants, pubs and wine bars good for an aperitif
• San Lorenzo is where the main university is located - so it is a young and laid back, with students hanging out in the many pubs. The atmosphere is informal and lively
• Testaccio Ostiense: the main streets of Monte Testaccio and via Ostiense and their surroundings are packed with bars, from posh and trendy spots to house music clubs, from salsa or gay discos to risto-bars (places where you can drink, eat and dance)

Your Italian language school in Rome

Our Italian language school in Rome was established in 1974 and is one of the first schools in Italy to start teaching Italian as a foreign language. It is arguably one of the most prestigious Italian language schools in the country today.

The school is situated in the centre of Rome, just a short walk from the central railway station (Termini Station) and conveniently placed for transport to every area of the city. At the school, a five-storied Liberty style villa, there are 10 classrooms. In addition, there are 15 other classrooms in the two annexes just a few steps from the main building. It is part of International House, a well-known organization of 120 language schools world-wide.

The Teachers

The teachers are all native speakers and hold both a university degree and a diploma in teaching Italian as a foreign language. Our Italian language school in Rome is renowned for its in-house Teacher Training Centre (accredited by the Italian Ministry of Education). Each year more than 50 trainee teachers obtain their teaching diploma and those with the highest grade are selected to join the teaching staff at the school.

At present, the school employs 24 teachers who have been teaching there for an average of 10 years. All the teachers work full time on permanent contracts. One hour per week of every teacher's contract hours is devoted to professional development. This development is implemented by means of monthly seminars organized by the Teacher Training Department.

The Methodology

Our Italian language school in Rome was one of the first schools to adopt a fully communicative approach to teaching Italian as a foreign language, and the approach is being up-dated all the time.

Language is never presented out of context; and grammar, phonology, lexis and all other features of actual language use in everyday situations are constantly analysed. A wide variety of up-to-date authentic material is used in class, thus giving the students valuable information about modern-day Italian culture and society while also developing their authentic linguistic and communicative skills.

Cultural Activities

• The school organises a full and varied programme of social activities for the students (i.e. seminars, films, excursions, concerts, operas, guided tours, parties)
• Their aim is to ensure that students have every opportunity to practise the language they are learning and, at the same time, make friends and have fun
• The teachers run the activities, making sure that any language or other difficulties are taken care of
• A calendar of social events is given to each student at the beginning of their course
• All activities except dinners, excursions, some guided tours, operas and concerts are included in the enrolment fee

Accommodation options for your language course in Rome

• Host Family
• Shared Flat
• Independent Flat
• Hotel

All host families and shared flats are carefully selected and monitored. Bed & Breakfast and hotel accommodation can also be arranged. Fully aware of the importance to students of this service, the accommodation officers based in Rome do their utmost to see that students' expectations are completely fulfilled and take care of their welfare for the duration of their stay.

The families and the flats are classified in two categories: Standard and Standard Plus. Accommodation with host-families or in flats means sleeping in single or double rooms and having free use of the bathroom and kitchen. Change of bed linen, and electricity and gas consumption are included in the price. For an extra fee, host-families will provide breakfast or half-board.

Important notes

• Accommodation is available for students on intensive course only
• Payment is per person and includes accommodation, use of bathroom and kitchen, weekly change of bed linen and utilities
• Accommodation is at the students' disposal from the Sunday before the beginning of course until the Saturday morning following end of course
• Payment must be made directly to the landlord/lady within 3 days of arrival
• Extra fee is charged for breakfast and half board
• Each additional week after completion of 4 weeks is charged at 25% of the 4-week fee

From the Central Station (Termini)

• Bus/underground: Tickets for buses and the underground both cost €1 per trip
• Taxis: The fare from the central station to accommodation varies between €15 and €30

From Airports

• From Fiumicino-Leonardo da Vinci Airport to Termini(Rome Central Station): 30-minute train trip by "Leonard Express"
• From Ciampino Airport to Termini(Rome Central Station): regular bus service is available
• Those with a lot of luggage would be well-advised to take a taxi (only yellow or white). The fare to the accommodation is about € 50-70.

Transfers

On request, the school can arrange for the students to be picked up from the airport or Rome Central Station (Termini).